Applebee’s best franchise is on Long Island

By: David Winzelberg October 3, 2011Comments Off on Applebee’s best franchise is on Long Island

Ed Doherty, owner of 22 Long Island Applebee’s, has been named 2011 “Franchisee of the Year” by the restaurant chain’s corporate entity.

The award honors outstanding leadership, commitment and passion for the brand, according to a company statement. Doherty Enterprises owns and operates a total of 61 Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bar restaurants in New Jersey and Long Island and is the sole three-time recipient of the award.

Mike Archer, Applebee’s president, touted Doherty’s commitment to its neighbors. “In the past 12 months, his company has raised more than $1.2 million for charities and community organizations,” Archer said in the statement. “They support a range of causes—a 9/11 Memorial Bike Run, the American Cancer Society and the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots.”

Doherty said his vision is to be the “best food service company in the tri-state area” and the mission of each of his restaurants is to “wow every guest every time, wow our people, wow our communities and wow our suppliers.” Between its Long Island and New Jersey restaurants, the group employs 6,600 people.